summer-2011
Latest
'They Bleed Pixels' brings low-res slaughter to XBLIG
"They Bleed Pixels is a fast-paced, gothic lo-fi, platforming beat'em up that drips, gushes and flows," explains the website for Spooky Squid Games' new XBLIG platformer. We'd be hard-pressed to come up with a more accurate, succinct description. Check out the above trailer and you'll immediately see every element of that loaded sentence in motion. They Bleed Pixels combines the tiny protagonist and enclosed, danger-filled platforming challenges of a game like Super Meat Boy or N+, with a one-button combo attack system that rewards skillful execution with checkpoints. They Bleed Pixels will be released this summer on XBLIG, featuring a soundtrack by DJ Finish Him "created using unconventional instruments and gadgets often not meant for musical use." You can find samples of the soundtrack at the official site.
Castlevania Harmony of Despair reborn on PSN this summer with couch co-op
Having pulled assets from old Castlevania games out of their graves for the XBLA release of Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, Konami is dusting off their creaky pixels once again for a PSN re-release of the multiplayer side-scroller. The PSN version of Harmony of Despair will include playable Julius Belmont and Yoko Belnades characters, which were extra DLC on Xbox, as well as the Pyramid of Ruin level. In addition to that, PSN-ers patiently waiting for their chance to re-invade Dracula's castle will have access to a new local co-op mode for up to four players. The online mode still supports six. Harmony of Despair is currently due on PSN "later this summer."
Jeremy McGrath's Offroad and on PSN, XBLA this summer
We think the title of developer 2XL Games' upcoming racer is supposed to be parsed as "'Offroad' endorsed by Jeremy McGrath," but we can't stop reading it as a statement of fact: "Jeremy McGrath is Offroad." And the errant Supercross champ and his game are heading straight to PSN and XBLA, this summer, in a game published by D3. 2XL, made up of Rainbow Studios expats, has a background of working almost exclusively on motocross and offroad racing games, including Baja: Edge of Control, 2XL Supercross, and Ricky Carmichael's Motocross Matchup. Also, Cars: The Video Game. Specifics about Jeremy McGrath's Offroad will be revealed at -- not E3, but the Lucas Oil Off-road Racing Series event, in San Bernardino, CA on May 21 and 22.
DS and Wii go back to Sesame Street in Ready, Set, Grover!
(Warning: there's a monster at the end of this post.) Warner Bros. is continuing to get mileage out of its Sesame Street license, announcing a new fitness-themed game for Wii and DS. Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover! is a set of exercises designed by Grover himself, "to help his Sesame Street friends get up and go!" Kids will be able to row, jump, and play "Grover Says" along with Elmo and Abby. The Wii version comes with a Grover version of the Sesame Street Wiimote covers introduced last year, which covers all unnecessary buttons. And the DS version includes a "jumbo click stylus." The games are designed to be playable by toddlers on their own, but they also include a "Parent's Page" so parents can see what the little ones did. The Griptonite-developed games will be out this summer.%Gallery-122808%
Senran Kagura for 3DS serves side-scrolling ninja action and total humiliation
Marvelous's new 3DS game, Senran Kagura, is a side-scrolling action platformer starring a group of five ninja school students battling evil mercenary ninjas. You can juggle enemies in aerial combos, double-jump and dash around the screen. Sounds awesome, right? Oh, by the way, all the characters are young women, "ranked" by bust size. During the game, their clothes tear off, and occasionally the screen will zoom in and display their decreasingly covered bodies in 3D. ... Senran Kagura will be out in Japan this summer.
D3 Publisher picks up White Knight Chronicles 2 for North America
Sony announced last month that it was publishing Level-5's White Knight Chronicles 2 in Europe. The PS3 role-playing sequel is being released in North America as well, but by a somewhat lower-profile publisher: D3. The Namco Bandai subsidiary will release White Knight Chronicles 2 in North America this summer, containing both the new game and a "remastered" version of the first White Knight Chronicles. Siliconera notes that, while the Japanese version forced you to start from the very beginning if you didn't already have a clear save file (really!), the Western version allows you to start at WKC2.%Gallery-120644%
BloodRayne: Betrayal this summer on XBLA and PSN, courtesy of WayForward
Everyone's favorite (by default) redheaded, Nazi-fighting half-vampire is rising once again, this time with the help of an unlikely ally. Majesco is bringing back its pre-Cooking Mama, pre-casual property Bloodrayne in BloodRayne: Betrayal. The new game is the work of WayForward Technologies, a developer best known for games like A Boy and His Blob, Contra 4, and Shantae, and not really for grimdark games. It's also the developer's first Xbox 360 and PS3 project, due for XBLA and PSN this summer. Betrayal is a 2D side-scroller with "new characters, gruesome environmental puzzles and a full arsenal of lethal weapons including Rayne's signature arm blades" -- and, of course, a "deadly dose of bloodshed."
Muramasa dev Vanillaware creating 'Grand Knights History' for PSP
The latest (leaked) issue of Famitsu brings word of a new project from Vanillaware, creators of Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Odin Sphere. Vanillaware's Grand Knights History is a new RPG for PSP to be published by Marvelous -- with whom the dev worked with on Muramasa -- and planned for release this summer. Players control the leader of one of three warring factions -- "Logress, the ancient kingdom," "Union, kingdom of the knights," or "Avalon, kingdom of magic," -- and take part in turn-based battles accompanied by a group of knights. Grand Knights History is said to include some kind of innovative online play that Vanillaware has yet to explain, but it involves connecting with other players during battle -- and allows for "infinity" players. Chances are we'll hear more about the online system soon, as the game is reportedly 70 percent complete. And knowing Vanillaware's previous output, we can't wait to see the first screens.
Warlords re-remake coming to XBLA and PSN this summer
There's already an HD version of Atari's classic Warlords on XBLA, but one remake isn't enough to fully explore the possibilities of Warlords' four-player competitive Breakout concept. Atari is giving the vintage combat game a more significant upgrade for an XBLA/PSN version, due this summer. While the "Evolved" version found in the previous XBLA release was just HD window dressing for the same game, this adds new elements -- like troops, who will gather powerups and fight each other on the screen even as you're trying to bounce fireballs into enemy castle walls. So it's kind of a strategy game now. It also includes multiple local and online multiplayer moves. Honestly, if we're going to see one game remade frequently, we're happy it's this one. Now if only our modern consoles had paddle controllers.
Cubic Ninja squares off this summer on 3DS
A couple of months after it showed up in Nintendo's software lineup reel, Ubisoft has officially announced plans to localize AQ Interactive's tilt-based, 3D-less 3DS game Cubic Ninja. The now-confirmed, geometric action game, in which you tilt the system (or use the Circle Pad) to move CC the ninja through dangerous levels and activate ninja powers, will be out this summer. To support the announcement, Ubisoft sent out some new screens, along with the boxart -- which is way busy for such a minimalist game.%Gallery-119123%
Serious Sam 3 to launch this summer
In a brief missive on the Croteam site, CEO Roman Ribaric confirmed a Summer 2011 launch for Serious Sam 3. No other details were offered, though Ribaric referred to the game as Serious Sam: BFE -- "Beyond First Encounter" or "Before First Encounter," perhaps? We've reached out to Croteam for clarification. Ribaric promises more details soon and we'll be sure to pass along any info as it's made known. Because that's how this relationship works.
Call of Juarez series goes modern in 'The Cartel'
Ubisoft has just unveiled the next game in the Call of Juarez series, called Call of Juarez: The Cartel, for "next-gen consoles and Windows PC." While the last two games in the series were Old West-themed, developer Techland is actually setting this game in present-day LA and Juarez -- the new setting means that Juarez will just be able to leave you voice mail if you aren't around. "The game will bring the best elements of the Wild West into modern times with a very gritty and relevant plot," said Ubi director of marketing Adam Novickas in the announcement. You'll be able to find out more about The Cartel in the March issue of EGM, and you'll be able to play it this summer. For now, call upon our gallery for the first screens.%Gallery-115845%
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean debut trailer
Back in November, Disney revealed Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, the latest adaptation from TT Games. Originally set to launch this May, the game's first trailer, posted by MTV Multiplayer and available for viewing at your leisure past the break, now pegs it for Summer 2011.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked due in North America this summer
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked, Atlus's enhanced 3DS port of the DS Devil Survivor, will be available to North American gamers eager to jump back into demon-filled Tokyo this summer. Atlus announced the release window today and sent out new screenshots, which you can enjoy in our gallery. Overclocked includes everything from the DS game -- about a group of Tokyo residents attempting to stop demons from invading the city through interdimensional rifts, before everyone dies -- with an extra eighth day added to everyone's projected lifespan, and voice acting added throughout.%Gallery-115113%
